Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 22:06:21 -0700
From: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
Subject: GLAAD DISAPPOINTED BY ABC'S DECISION TO CANCEL ELLEN
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Bill Horn (213) 658-6775
pager: (800) 946-4646, pin#1423528
e-mail: horn@glaad.org
GLAAD DISAPPOINTED BY ABC'S DECISION TO CANCEL ELLEN
NATION'S MEDIA ADVOCACY GROUP CALLS SITCOM'S LEGACY "GROUNDBREAKING"
LOS ANGELES, CA, THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 1998-Today, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance
Against Defamation (GLAAD) expressed its disappointment with ABC's decision
to not renew the groundbreaking television sitcom Ellen. After months of
speculation regarding the fate of the show, ABC said today it is canceling
the first and only program on primetime television with a lead lesbian or
gay character.
"ABC's decision clearly denies the profound impact which Ellen has had on
our society and the future of television programming," said Joan M. Garry,
GLAAD Executive Director. "Ellen broke ground with her historic coming-out
episode, and continued to do so throughout this past season, providing us
with a strong and wholly positive television hero. Ellen will be sorely
missed by GLAAD, our community, and her many fans from all walks of life."
Last April, Ellen Morgan came out of the closet to an audience of millions.
Ellen DeGeneres and the show have been awarded a number of honors in the
past year, including an Emmy and a Peabody Award for the "Puppy Episode."
In October, ABC branded the sitcom with a parental advisory warning.
Episodes that included any type of same-sex affection, including hand
holding, were subject to the warning. Earlier this year, ABC placed the
program on hiatus, giving Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place the show's
timeslot. Only last week, ABC decided only to air Ellen's finale, leaving
two already taped episodes out of the schedule.
"Ellen didn't just open the closet door for lesbian and gay primetime
characters," said Chastity Bono, GLAAD Entertainment Media Director, "she
blew the door off its hinges. Like groundbreaking television programs in
the past, Ellen will serve as a catalyst for even more gay-inclusive
programming on television in the future."
Ellen's cancellation has been the topic of much speculation in the media,
Hollywood and for a devoted nationwide audience. Since first learning about
Ellen's emergence from the closet, GLAAD has worked to ensure her place in
history, and since talk of Ellen's possible cancellation began, GLAAD has
worked vigorously to support the show and encourage ABC to stand behind it.
GLAAD's "Save Ellen" campaign has kept the nation, both gay and straight,
up to date on the program's status and provided thousands with the show's
weekly advertisers.
GLAAD is the nation's lesbian and gay media advocacy organization. GLAAD is
dedicated to promoting fair, accurate and inclusive representations of
individuals and events in the media as a means of challenging
discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity.
-30-
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Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
glaad@glaad.org
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GLAAD is a national organization that promotes fair, accurate and inclusive
representation as a means of challenging discrimination based on sexual
orientation or identity.
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